Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni combined two single cylinder motors on a single crankshaft and successfully tested the V-Twin in July 1971. In October, 1971 Ducati introduced the V-Twin GT 750. In April, 1972 team Ducati ran 1st and 2nd at the Imola 200 with a Desmo version of the V-Twin marking their first victory in a large displacement race. By …
1974 Laverda 750 SFC
If you’re looking for the best street bike Italy had to offer in the 70s, there’s a good chance that you’re on the prowl for a Ducati 750SS or a Laverda 750 SFC. Both are legends in motorcycling history with racing pedigree – the SFC shone in endurance racing, which helped Laverda build a reputation of creating tough, fast motorcycles. …
1969 Velocette Venom Clubman
Post Sale Update: This Venom Clubman sold for $12,000 after 18 bids on eBay. Introduced in 1955, the Venom set itself up to be an alternative to the British sporting twins that were starting to dominate the market. The Venom really came of age when a factory prepped bike became the first ever motorcycle to average 100 MPH over the …
Street Legal Sumo – 2006 Suzuki RM-Z250
When I think of 2-stroke supermotos, I expect to see it on a race track. But this is street legal in the state of Illinois, plus the sprockets have been changed such that this bike can cruise at 60. Say hello to a crazy commuter option.
1958 Norvin
First registered in the UK in 1958, this gorgeous hybrid features a customized Norton featherbed frame with a Vincent Rapide V-Twin engine. What a beauty.
1 of 26 – 1999 Bimota V-Due Trofeo
View PostTZ Replica – 1975 Yamaha RD350
Starting with a RD350, the seller of this beautiful bike eventually turned it into a replica of a TZ that you can enjoy on the street. What do you think of it?
Pretty in Purple – 1973 Kawasaki H2
1973 was a very momentous year for me personally. I got married (for the first time) in June and in July I got one of the worst motorcycle injuries of my career falling off an H2. We were a couple of dreamers. She dreamed that she could drag my country farm boy butt into polite society, and I dreamed that …
1938 Velocette MSS
The 1930s were the absolutely the heyday of British singles. BSA, Triumph, Norton, Velocette, Sunbeam, Rudge, New Hudson, Excelsior, HRD, New Imperial and Royal Enfield all made 500 CC singles during the 1930s. No doubt one of the best of the lot was the Velocette MSS. Introduced in 1935 the MSS continued in the Velocette catalog until 1968 (None made …
Custom Paint – 1985 Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo
Sold for two model years, the GPZ750 Turbo from Kawasaki is generally considered to be the best of the 80s Japanese turbo bikes that had a brief impact in the marketplace. 112 horsepower was good enough for a 10.7 second quarter mile – consider that a Kawasaki ZX-11 did the quarter in 10.26! This example was originally purchased by a …
Ending Soon – 1992 Yamaha FZR 600 Supersport Replica
In the early 90s, Yamaha’s primary sponsor for their AMA Supersport bike was Vance & Hines. In ’92, the Japanese manufacturer celebrated this relationship with a limited production run of FZR600s adorned with the V&H purple/yellow paint. Depending on who you ask, Yamaha made between 500-650 of these, though I can’t find an official production number anywhere.
2001 Honda CBR929RR
The 929 was the fifth generation of Honda’s CBR900. It was a solid improvement on a legendary motorcycle but by this point Yamaha and Suzuki had released new versions of the R1 and GSX-R 1000, leaving Honda lagging behind. The CBR929RR didn’t sell nearly as well as the Yamaha or Suzuki, and Honda updated the model one last time (with …
2002 Ducati 998S Ben Bostrom Replica – 147/155
When Ben Bostrom competed in AMA Superbike with the Ducati 998S, his number was 155. So in 2002, when Ducati released a limited edition replica of his race bike, they sold 155 in the US and 155 in the UK. Every single one was signed on the tank by Ben himself, and MSRP was $22,695.
1967 Royal Enfield Interceptor Mk. 1A 750
Post Listing Update: This Interceptor did not meet reserve with 8 bids up to $10,100 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. About a week ago, I featured an custom Royal Enfield Interceptor and I noted that it was rare to see a custom Interceptor because they were rare enough that owners usually restored them to like new instead of modifying them. Well, here’s …
1953 BSA BB32 Gold Star
The BSA Gold Star famously took it’s name from a race at Brooklands in 1937 when Wal Handley came out of retirement to ride a three lap race for BSA. It was BSA’s first factory competition since 1921, and not only did Handley win the event he had a lap over 100 MPH (107.5 MPH) for which he was awarded …